By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly contributor
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid's start to the 2018-19 season has been nothing short of fantastic through the first four games of the year.
In four starts, Embiid is averaging 29.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists and has averaged 35.5 minutes per game, well above his career average (29).
The way Embiid has grown as an NBA player since last season and has shown his impact on the floor is impressive.
While the Sixers (2-2) may have fallen to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, 133-132 in overtime (thanks to Blake Griffin's career-high 50 points), the stats that the team's big man compiled during the game is incredible.
For the third straight game, Embiid tallied 30+ points, becoming the first Sixer to accomplish that feat since Allen Iverson in 2006.
.@sixers @JoelEmbiid is the first Philadelphia player with three straight 30-point games since @alleniverson did so in six straight from Nov. 24-Dec. 2, 2006.
He's the 1st player to begin a season scoring 30+ in 3 of the team's first 4 games since AI in 06-07.
h/t @bball_ref
— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) October 24, 2018
Additionally, Embiid joined elite company becoming the first Sixers player to total at least 20 points and 10 rebounds through the team's first four games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1966-67.
Per @EliasSports, @JoelEmbiid is the first @Sixers player to post at least 20 pts and 10 rebs in each of the team’s first four games of a season since Wilt Chamberlain in 1966-67. Embiid, Chamberlain (twice) and Schayes (twice) are only players in franchise history ever to do so.
— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) October 24, 2018
Also according to Sixers Stats, Embiid's game with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists is the 11th such game of his career.
Just looking at the company that Embiid is keeping through the first four games is what makes these accomplishments so impressive. He takes over games, makes his teammates better and keeps getting better as an individual and as a player as well. The ceiling is high for Embiid and if the first four games of the season are any indication, it's going to be a fun season for the Sixers, even if some of the losses are too difficult to take in.
